Tamper evident seal

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a seal. The seal is for a box. A box housing has an aperture leading to an interior. A box cover is: secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; and removable, by screw removal, to permit interior access via the aperture. After the cover has been secured, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain interior access via the aperture. The seal comprises: a base for each screw which, in use, is screwed to the cover by said screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw; and, for each base, an assembly which is defined by frangibly connected structures, one being connected to said each base; the other, being separably connected to said each base, to preclude access to the screw holding said each base to the cover.

REFERENCE TO A PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/331,437, filed May 5, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of electrical safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many jurisdictions, electricians are held accountable for wiring deficiencies. This is as it should be. However, often, installations are done stagewise. In a first stage, a permit is taken out and a skilled electrician is engaged. After that stage has been done and inspected, unlicensed persons complete the work, often in an unsafe manner. In the event that a subsequent inspection is carried out and a deficiency is observed, often following a fire, the electrician is held to account, notwithstanding that he or she is not the origin of the deficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the invention is a seal for a box of the type having a housing and a cover. The housing has an aperture leading to an interior. The cover is: secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; and adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture. The seal comprises a base for each of said one or more screws, the base being, in use, screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw. The seal also comprises a cap assembly for each base part, the cap assembly being defined by two structures connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two structures, in use, being substantially permanently connected to said each base, and the other of the two structures, in use, being separably connected to said each base and adapted to preclude access to the screw holding said each base to the cover.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cap assembly can comprise a cap and a sticker. The cap, in use, is separably connected to said each base and precludes access to the screw holding said each base to the cover. The seal can have two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two parts defining the one structure; and the other of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the cap in use to define the other structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base can have a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap can have an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and be adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base; the boss of the base can protrude into the aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap can be flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the sticker can be defined by void tape which, in use, is applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the sticker separates from the planar surface but for a residual message left at least on the planar surface, the residual message defining the one structure.

Forming another aspect of the invention is a seal system for boxes each of the type having a housing and a cover. The housing has an aperture leading to an interior and the cover is: (i) secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; (ii) removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; and (iii) adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture. The seal system comprises: bases; caps; and seals. The bases, in use, are provided one for each of said one or more screws, each base being, in use, screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw. The caps, in use, are provided one for each base, each cap, in use, being separably connected to the base for which it is provided and precluding access to the screw holding said base to the cover. The seals are provided one for each base, each seal having two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the base for which said seal is provided and the other of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the cap for said each base.

According to another aspect of the invention: the base can have a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap can have an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and be adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base; the boss of the base can protrude into the aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap are flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the seal is defined by a piece of void tape which, in use, is applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the sticker separates from the planar surface but for a residual message left at least on the planar surface, the residual message defining the one of the two parts.

A seal system for use with stickers and boxes forms yet another aspect of the invention. The stickers can have two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion and the boxes can each be of the type having a housing and a cover, the housing having an aperture leading to an interior and the cover being: (i) secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; (ii) removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; and (iii) adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture. The seal system comprises bases and caps. The bases, in use, are provided one for each of said one or more screws, each base, in use, being screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw. The caps, in use, are provided one for each base, each cap, in use, being separably connected to the base for which it is provided and precluding access to the screw holding said base to the cover. The stickers are provided one for each base, one of the parts being substantially permanently connected to said each base and the other of the two parts being substantially permanently connected to the cap provided for said each base such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the two parts of the sticker are broken apart.

According to another aspect of the invention: the base can have a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap can have an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and be adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base; the boss of the base can protrude into the aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap can be flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the sticker, in use, can be applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a is an exploded perspective view of a prior art electrical panel;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 1, with the cover installed to the housing but for one screw;

FIG. 3 is a view of the components of a seal system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of encircled structure 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of encircled structure 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is view along arrow A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view along arrow A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of encircled structure 8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a view of the structure of FIG. 5 in use with the structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view of the structure of FIG. 4 in use with the structure of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view of the structure of FIG. 10 in an exemplary use;

FIG. 12 is a view of the structure of FIG. 11, with the structure of FIG. 4 removed; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A prior art electrical box is shown in exploded view in FIG. 1 and will be seen to have a housing 10 and a cover 12. The housing has an aperture 14 leading to an interior 16. A plurality of screw holes 17 are formed around the aperture 14 and corresponding bores 19 are formed in the cover 12. A plurality of screws 18 are also provided, and persons of ordinary skill will recognize that the cover 12 is: secured to the housing 10 in use by passing the screws 18 through bores 19 and threading screws 18 into holes 17; removable, by removal of the screws 18, to permit access to the interior 16 via the aperture 14; and adapted such that, after the cover 12 has been secured to the housing 10 by the screws 18, one or more screws 18 must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior 16 via the aperture 14.

FIG. 2 shows the cover 12 secured to the housing 10, but for one screw.

FIG. 3 shows the components of a seal system 20 that forms an exemplary embodiment of the invention, namely, a base 22 and a cap 24, both being injection-molded plastic components. Base 22 will be seen include a raised boss 28 and a screw aperture 26. The cap has an opening 30 shaped and dimensioned to receive the boss 28, has a hollow 38 defined therein at one end at a slot 40 at the other. A peripheral surface 40 surrounds aperture 30. As well, the base and cap have mating structures 32,34 which snap-fit into one another, to hold the base and cap together.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which shows an enlarged view of the structure in encircled area 8 of FIG. 2.

Use of the seal system 20 involves one of the bases 22 being screwed to the cover 12 and housing 10, as shown in FIG. 9, with the raised boss 28 protruding outwardly. The cover 12 is now secured to the housing 10 in the conventional manner, but for the interposition of the base 22.

One of the caps 24 is then placed over the base 22, with the hollow cavity 38 overlying the head of screw 18, and the aperture 30 overlying the raised boss 28, and urged against the base 22. This causes the mating structures 32,34 to resiliently-deform and create a snap-fit engagement of the base 22 and the cap 24, all as shown in FIG. 10. So assembled, the cap 24 precludes access to the head of the screw 18, shown in phantom; even if the remaining screws 18 holding the cover 12 to the housing 10 were all removed, access to the 16 of this box cannot be obtained via the aperture 14 without removing the cap 24. Notably, the raised boss 28 and the peripheral surface 40 are flush with one another in this arrangement and define a substantially smooth, continuous surface.

The final step involves a seal in the form of a void sticker. The sticker, when purchased, comprises three layers: a substrate layer; an intermediate adhesive layer; and a release layer. The release layer is a thin film of plastic or paper. The substrate layer is a relatively sturdy paper or plastic film on which is printed markings which identify the owner of the supply of stickers. The adhesive layer is a transparent film imprinted with the word “VOID” which has adhesive on two sides: on the first side, which faces the release layer, there exists a layer of adhesive that has relatively low adhesion to the release layer but relatively high-adhesion to the plastic that forms the base and cap; on the second side, which faces the substrate layer, there exists a layer of adhesive that has a level of adhesion to the substrate layer that is relatively low, but greater than the level of adhesion to the release layer.

To complete the installation, the release layer is removed from the intermediate layer, and the balance of the void sticker 50 is laid upon the smooth, continuous surface defined by boss 28/surface 40, with the substrate layer facing outwardly, so that the indicia can be read by viewers, as indicated in FIG. 11. This provides a tamper-evident seal; no party can access the interior of the box without removing the cap 24, and removal of the cap 24 results in the separation of the frangible parts of the void sticker, i.e. the substrate layer and the adhesive layer, leaving the residual message “VOID” on the boss, as indicated in FIG. 12. The nature of the adhesive bond between the adhesive layer and the substrate layer is such that the substrate layer cannot be adhesively resecured to the boss by the adhesive layer after separation. Thus, in the event that a subsequent inspection of the box needs to be made, for whatever reason, the inspector will know that, if the VOID sticker appears, the box has been tampered with following the last installation, and the previous contractor can not necessarily be held accountable.

VOID stickers having these characteristics are known in the art and commercially available. Accordingly, a detailed description of their construction is neither provided nor required.

Whereas a single embodiment is shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2-12, persons of ordinary skill will readily perceive the potential for variation.

For example, whereas a “VOID” sticker is described to be useful, other variations are possible. The sticker could, for example, simply having a central portion adapted to be received by the surface of the boss and a peripheral portion adapted to be received by the peripheral surface of the cap, with the central and peripheral portions of the sticker being separated from one another by a simple line of perforations.

As well, whereas the substrate layer is indicated to bear indicia of ownership, is should be understood that this indicia could include holographs or other anti-counterfeiting technologies, to further reduce the likelihood of tampering.

Further, whereas the base and the cap are indicated to mate in snap-fit relation, this is not necessary; it could, for example, be possible for the sticker itself to hold the base and the cap together.

Additionally, whereas it is indicated that the present invention is related to the field of electrical safety, it should be understood that the usefulness of the present invention is not contemplated to be limited to electrical applications: telephone and cable installations are other examples.

Yet further, whereas in the example discussed, only a single seal was provided, it will be appreciated that, in some installations, it may be necessary to seal more than one screw to ensure that access to the panel cannot be obtained.

Moreover, whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-12, the base and cap are separate and distinct elements, this is not strictly necessary. For example, in the embodiment 20′ of FIG. 13, base 22 and cap 24 are formed as a single unit and coupled to one another by a hinge 52 as shown in FIG. 13. Further, whereas the base 22 and cap 24 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-12 are separable after attachment, this is not strictly necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the cap 24 can be provided with a frangible plug 54, the base 22 can be provided with a socket 56 and the plug 54 and socket 56 can be adapted for non-releasable engagement, such that if the base 22 and cap 24 are separated after engagement, the plug 54 separates from the cap 24.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood as limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed. 

1. A seal for a box of the type having a housing and a cover, the housing having an aperture leading to an interior and the cover being secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture, the seal comprising: a base for each of said one or more screws, the base being, in use, screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw; and a cap assembly for each base part, the cap assembly being defined by two structures connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two structures, in use, being substantially permanently connected to said each base; the other of the two structures, in use, being separably connected to said each base and adapted to preclude access to the screw holding said each base to the cover.
 2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the cap assembly comprises a cap and a sticker, the cap, in use, being separably connected to said each base and precluding access to the screw holding said each base to the cover; the sticker having two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two parts defining the one structure; and the other of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the cap in use to define the other structure.
 3. A seal according to claim 2, wherein the base has a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap has an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and is adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base; the boss of the base protrudes into aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap are flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the sticker can be defined by void tape which, in use, is applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the sticker separates from the planar surface but for a residual message left at least on the planar surface, the residual message defining the one structure.
 4. A seal system for boxes each of the type having a housing and a cover, the housing having an aperture leading to an interior and the cover being: (i) secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; (ii) removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; and (iii) adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture, the seal system comprising: bases; caps; and seals, the bases, in use, being provided one for each of said one or more screws, each base being, in use, screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw; the caps, in use, being provided one for each base, each cap, in use, being separably connected to the base for which it is provided and precluding access to the screw holding said base to the cover; the seals being provided one for each base, each seal having two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion, one of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the base for which said seal is provided and the other of the two parts, in use, being substantially permanently connected to the cap for said each base.
 5. A seal according to claim 4, wherein the base has a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap has an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and is adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base the boss of the base protrudes into aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap are flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the seal is defined by a piece of void tape which, in use, is applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the seal separates from the planar surface but for a residual message left at least on the planar surface, the residual message defining the one of the two parts.
 6. A seal system for use with stickers and boxes, the stickers having two parts connected to one another in a frangible fashion and the boxes each being of the type having a housing and a cover, the housing having an aperture leading to an interior and the cover being: (i) secured to the housing in use by at least one screw to occlude the aperture; (ii) removable, by removal of the at least one screw, to permit access to the interior via the aperture; and (iii) adapted such that, after the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw, one or more screws must be backed off or removed to obtain access to the interior via the aperture, the seal system comprising: bases; and caps, the bases, in use, being provided one for each of said one or more screws, each base, in use, being screwed to the cover by said each screw when the cover has been secured to the housing by the at least one screw; the caps, in use, being provided one for each base, each cap, in use, being separably connected to the base for which it is provided and precluding access to the screw holding said base to the cover; the stickers in use, being provided one for each base, one of the parts being substantially permanently connected to said each base and the other of the two parts being substantially permanently connected to the cap provided for said each base such that, when the cap is separated from the base, the two parts of the sticker are broken apart.
 7. A seal according to claim 6, wherein the base has a raised boss terminating in a planar surface; the cap has an aperture and a peripheral surface surrounding the aperture and is adapted for snap-fit engagement with the base; the boss of the base protrudes into aperture when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap are flush with one another when the cap is separably connected to the base in use; and the sticker, in use, is applied to overlie the planar surface of the base and the peripheral surface of the cap. 